Trim for a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

A trim made of plastics for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprises a first component ( 7 ) made of plastics and a second component ( 8 ) made of plastics. To improve such trim, the first component ( 7 ) is at least partly transparent or semi-transparent. The second component ( 8 ) includes one or more recesses ( 10, 11, 12 ) for a display element and/or for an input element (FIG.  2 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 14/636,333 filed on Mar. 3, 2015, which is a continuation ofU.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/263,195 filed on Oct. 6,2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,998,282, filed as application No.PCT/EP2010/002109 on Apr. 1, 2010. The disclosure of the aboveapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a trim or some other decorative part made ofplastics for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, with a firstcomponent made of plastics and with a second component made of plastics.

Such trim is known from EP 1 695 808 A1. The prior art trim comprises afirst component made of plastics, namely a covering member made of athermoplastic material and a second component made of plastics, namely acarrier member made of a thermoplastic material. The first component isprovided on a visible surface of the trim. It performs a decorativefunction. The second component performs mechanical functions, inparticular a fastening function. The trim is manufactured by amulti-component injection molding method, in particular by atwo-component injection molding method (2-component method).

SUMMARY

It is the object of the invention to propose an improved trim of thetype mentioned above.

In accordance with the invention, this object is solved by the featuresherein. The first component is at least partly transparent orsemi-transparent. The second component includes a recess or cutout for adisplay element and/or for an input element. In this way, it is possibleto utilize the trim for displaying information. Instead or in addition,the trim can be utilized for inputting information. There can also beprovided a plurality of display elements and/or input elements. Thesecond component can include one or more recesses or cutouts.

It is possible that the first component is partly transparent orsemi-transparent. In this case, the transparent or semi-transparentregion of the first component extends over a partial region of thisfirst component. The first component can, however, also be completelytransparent or semi-transparent. In this case, the entire region of thefirst component is transparent or semi-transparent. In both cases, thetransparent or semi-transparent region of the first component fully orpartly extends over the recess (cutout) or the recesses (cutouts) in thesecond component.

The first component preferably lies on an outside of the trim. It can becovered by one or more further layers, in particular by a coating,wherein this further layer or further layers or the coating arecompletely or partly transparent or semi-transparent. Preferably, thefirst component forms a visible surface on the vehicle or motor vehicle,preferably on the outside, possibly however also on the inside, of thevehicle or motor vehicle.

It is possible that the trim includes further components and/or layersand/or parts. The trim preferably is manufactured by a multi-componentinjection molding method, in particular by a two-component injectionmolding method (2-component method) or by a three-component injectionmolding method (3-component method).

Advantageous developments are described herein.

The first component preferably is made of a thermoplastic material. PMMAor PC or related plastic materials are particularly useful. The firstcomponent in particular can be made of scratch-proof PMMA or some otherscratch-proof plastic or thermoplastic material.

Advantageously, the first component has a glossy surface and/orelevations, in particular elevations in the form of a lettering or logo.

In accordance with a further advantageous development, the secondcomponent is made of a thermoplastic material. ABS, ABS/PC or ASA orrelated plastic materials are particularly useful.

A further advantageous development is characterized in that on thesecond component one or more fastening elements for fastening the one ormore display elements and/or the one or more input elements areprovided. The display element and/or the input element can directly orindirectly be attached to the one or more fastening elements.Advantageously, the one or more fastening elements are molded to thesecond component.

In accordance with a further advantageous development, a housing for theone or more display elements and/or the one or more input elements isattachable or attached to the second component. The housing preferablyis sealable or sealed. Particularly advantageously, the housing isattachable or attached to one or more fastening elements on the secondcomponent.

The one or more display elements and/or the one or more input elementscan be self-luminous.

Instead or in addition, the one or more display elements and/or the oneor more input elements can be illuminated, preferably by an illuminatingmeans. Useful illuminating means include in particular LEOs,color-controllable films (for example a three-layer RGB film) or anelectroluminescent luminous element. Both in self-luminous displayelements/input elements and in illuminated display elements/inputelements, the luminous color and/or the luminous intensity can bevariable.

The one or more display elements and/or the one or more input elementsand/or the one or more illuminating means for the one or more displayelements and/or the one or more input elements can be activatable and/orvariable by sensors and/or switches.

By means of the display element, in particular the charge condition of abattery-powered vehicle and/or a graphic, a lettering and/or a logoand/or a flasher and/or a locking information and/or a reflector and/ora parking time information and/or a taxi information can be displayed.

Advantageously, the input element comprises a keypad and/or one or moresensors, in particular a fingerprint sensor and/or a sensor for akeyless-go system.

The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle, in particular a motorvehicle, which is characterized by one or more trims or other decorativeparts in accordance with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in detail below withreference to the attached drawing. In the drawing

FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle with trims in accordance with the inventionin a side view,

FIG. 2 shows a trim with a charge indicator for a battery-powered motorvehicle in a view from outside,

FIG. 3 shows the trim according to FIG. 2 in a view from inside,

FIG. 4 shows FIG. 2 with an enlarged cut-out representation,

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged partial view of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 shows the item of FIG. 5 with removed housing,

FIG. 7 shows a downsized representation of FIG. 3 including a sectionalline IX-IX,

FIG. 8 shows the housing illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 in a view frombelow,

FIG. 9 shows a section along line IX-IX in FIG. 7,

FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of a trim with an entry system in aperspective representation,

FIG. 11 shows the trim according to FIG. 10 in a view from outside,

FIG. 12 shows a modification of the trim according to FIGS. 10 and 11 ina perspective representation,

FIG. 13 shows the trim according to FIG. 12 in a view from outside,

FIG. 14 shows a section along line A-A in FIG. 11,

FIG. 15 shows an enlarged representation of a part of FIG. 14, and

FIG. 16 shows a further example for a trim with a keypad for entering anaccess code of a motor vehicle in a longitudinal section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The motor vehicle shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of trims, namelya mirror trim 1 in the region of the rearview mirror, a rear trim 2 ofthe front door, a front trim 3 of the rear door and a rear trim 4 of therear door. In the trim 2 a display element 5 is provided for displayinginformation.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a further trim 6 for a motor vehicle in a view fromoutside and inside. The trim 6 is made by a two-component injectionmolding method. The first component 7 consists of scratch-proof PMMA. Itis completely semi-transparent, i.e. in its entire region. The firstcomponent 7 has a glossy, continuous, chiefly smooth surface withoutcut-outs.

The second component 8 is made of ABS. It has a black color. It liesbehind the first component 7 forming the visible surface. On the secondcomponent 8, a strip 9 is provided on, namely molded to the motorvehicle for attachment of the trim 6.

The second component 8 includes three recesses or cutouts 10, 11, 12(see FIG. 2), which each have a rectangular, rounded shape and arearranged one below the other flush and at a distance from each other. InFIG. 3, the recesses or cutouts 10, 11, 12 are covered by a housing 13which is attached to the second component 8.

FIG. 4 shows the display elements 14, 15, 16, which are located in therecesses or cutouts 10, 11, 12, in an enlarged representation. Thedisplay elements 13, 14, 15 form a charge indicator for abattery-powered motor vehicle. The display element 14 is an illuminateddisplay element in green color with the inscription “Full”. It islocated in the recess or cutout 10 and indicates the full chargecondition of the battery. The display element 15 is an illuminateddisplay element in yellow color with the inscription “Medium”. It islocated in the recess or cutout 11 and indicates a medium chargecondition of the battery. The display element 16 is an illuminateddisplay element in red color with the inscription “Empty”. It is locatedin the recess or cutout 12 and indicates an insufficient chargecondition of the battery. The first component 7 is semi-transparent suchthat in the illuminated condition the display elements 13, 14, 15 arevisible through the first component 7.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the trim 6 in a representation from insidecorresponding to FIG. 3. The second component 8 includes fasteningelements for the housing 13. The fastening elements are formed by acircumferential frame 17, a first hook 18 and two second hooks 19. Thefastening elements 17, 18, 19 are molded to the second component 8. Theyprotrude from the plane of the second component 8.

The recesses or cutouts 10, 11, 12 in the second component 8 lie insidethe circumferential frame 17. In the region of the recesses or cutouts10, 11, 12, the first component 7 is visible from the rear in FIG. 6.The border of the recesses or cutouts 10, 11, 12 located inside thecircumferential frame 17 is formed by the second component 8.

The recesses or cutouts 10, 11, 12 can be covered by the housing 13. Inthe housing 13, the display elements 14, 15, 16 are provided. Thehousing 13 engages over the circumferential edge 17. By its first hook20 it is interlocked with the first hook 18 of the second component 8and by its second hook 21 it is interlocked with the second hook 19 ofthe second component 8, as shown in FIG. 5. The power supply of thedisplay elements 14, 15, 16 is effected by a power cable 22.

FIG. 8 shows the housing 13 from inside. In the mounted condition, itscircumferential groove 23 engages over the circumferential edge 17 ofthe second component 8. In the housing 13, intermediate walls 24, 25 areprovided, which separate three chambers 27, 28, 29 from each other bymeans of the circumferential housing wall 26. In each chamber 27, 28,29, a light-emitting diode 30 is provided, which illuminates therespective chamber 27, 28, 29.

As shown in FIG. 9, the display element 14 is located in the chamber 27.It is illuminated by the light-emitting diode 30 of the chamber 27. Thedisplay element 15 is located in the chamber 28 and is illuminated byits light-emitting diode 30. Correspondingly, the display element 16 islocated in the chamber 29 and is illuminated by its light-emitting diode30. The display elements 14, 15, 16 each completely fill the recesses orcutouts 10, 11, 12 in the second component 8. In the enlarged partialrepresentation of FIG. 9, the display element 16 is omitted; at itspoint, the recess or cutout 12 can be seen.

Between the base of the circumferential groove 23 of the housing wall 26and the upper end face of the circumferential frame 17 of the secondcomponent 8 a circumferential seal 31 is provided, by which the housing13 is sealed. In particular, sealing against splash water is effected,which in the case of rain or when washing the motor vehicle can getbehind the trim 6. The circumferential seal 31 can be realized by asealing bead, in particular by butyl or adhesive.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a further embodiment of a trim 32, whichsubstantially corresponds to that of EP 1 695 808 A1, to which referenceis made herewith. The trim 32 also is made by a two-component injectionmolding method. The second component 8 includes a fastening strip 33 anda fastening section 34, which is provided with fastening holes 35 andfurther mechanical fastening elements. The second component 8furthermore includes a recess or cutout 36, which is substantiallyrectangular and extends in longitudinal direction of the trim 32. Therecess or cutout 36 extends up to the edge 37 of the trim 32.

The fastening elements of the trim 32 are formed by a U-shaped frame 38and lugs 39 for fastening screws or rivets, by means of which thehousing 40 can be attached to the trim 32, namely to its secondcomponent 8. The fastening elements 38, 39 are molded to the secondcomponent 8. They are manufactured together with the second component 8when manufacturing the trim by a multicomponent method, in particular a2-component method.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a modification of the trim 32 of FIGS. 10 and 11,in which corresponding parts are provided with the same referencenumerals and are not described again. In contrast to the trim 32 asshown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the recess or cutout 36 of the trim as shownin FIGS. 12 and 13 does not extend up to the edge 37 of the trim 32.Here, the recess or cutout 36 ends before this edge 37. The recess orcutout 36 is enclosed on all sides by the base area of the secondcomponent 8.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a section along line A-A in FIG. 11. The housing 40is attached to the lugs 39 of the second component 8 by screws or rivets41. The circumferential edge 42 of the housing 40 encloses the U-shapedframe 38 of the second component 8. The housing 40 is sealed by a seal43, which is located between the circumferential edge 42 and theU-shaped frame 38.

In the housing 40, a keypad 44 of an entry system is arranged. Thekeypad 44 includes display elements and input elements. The lightemitted by the display elements penetrates the first component 7 andthus makes these display elements visible. The input elements can beactuated through the first component 7, in particular by fingerpressure.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a keypad 45, which includes aluminous unit. Here, no housing is provided. To the second component 8an L-shaped holder 46 and a holding lug 47 with a barb 48 are molded,which barb includes an inclined insertion surface 49. The keypad 45initially is inserted below the L-shaped holder 46 at an angle, as shownin the upper Figure, and subsequently pressed in via the inclinedsurface 49 of the barb 48, wherein the flexible holding lug 47 iselastically deformed to the outside, i.e. away from the keypad 45. Inthe region of the keypad 45 one or more recesses are provided in thesecond component 8, which are not shown in FIG. 16.

By means of the invention, a vehicle trim made of plastics with anintegrated information window is created. In the transparent orsemi-transparent window information can also be displayed optically. Inparticular, this can be the following information: Charge control withbattery-powered cars; parking time display for indicating the digitalparking ticket bought (green/red); keypad for entering an access code tothe vehicle; fingerprint for access authorization to the vehicle; statusdisplay with a taxi (occupied/free); letterings and logos (GTI, Ghiaetc.); display area full-size as a design element; flashing function;display of the vehicle condition (open/closed), in particular duringleave and/or approach of the driver/owner; display of the vehicleposition for other road users, in particular by a reflection foil, inparticular with poor visibility and/or at night.

In the invention, the second component can form a functional layer,which is recessed in part, in order to let information shine through.The first component can form a decorative surface or covering surface.It can include elevations in the form of a logo or a lettering. Theseraised contours can be illuminated from behind. The trim including itscomponents is a molded part, which preferably is made by an injectionmolding method. The trim preferably is provided for the vehicleexterior.

It can be disposed on one of the pillars of the vehicle (A-pillar,B-pillar, C-pillar) and/or on a vehicle door. Fastening elements (clips,screw bosses, welding roots etc.) for fastening the display elements orinput elements or a luminous unit can directly be molded to the trim.

It is possible that the display elements and/or input elements becomevisible only upon activation. The display elements and/or input elementscan, however, also be activated constantly. The can be designed asluminous elements.

In a battery-powered car, a charging current control can be integratedin the (C-pillar) capping. As a result, the customer or driver canreceive a feedback on the charge condition even in an electric vehicle.The control can be effected via a simple LED or via several, for examplethree different colors. It is also possible to indicate the remainingmileage in kilometers as number or the remaining battery lifetime.

By means of the invention a reflection foil can be realized. In roadtraffic, reflectors serve to increase the traffic safety. In general,they are directly integrated in the headlamps or attached to thebumpers. The solution in accordance with the invention with transparentor semi-transparent covering layer provides for easy integration of thereflectors into a trim without having a disturbing effect. Inparticular, reflectors can be positioned in the lateral regions of thevehicle, whereby the traffic safety can additionally be increased.

The following is claimed:
 1. A vehicle trim for supporting anilluminable electronic element, the vehicle trim comprising: a firstcomponent formed of an at least semitransparent first material, thefirst component having an outer surface defining a portion of anexterior of the vehicle trim; and a second component formed of a secondmaterial less transparent than the first material, the second componentformed directly on the first component and the second materialsubstantially covering an inner surface of the first component, and thesecond component defining a recess that is free from the secondmaterial.
 2. The vehicle trim of claim 1 wherein the second materialcompletely covers the inner surface of the first component.
 3. Thevehicle trim of claim 2 wherein the second component defines an innersurface of the vehicle trim.
 4. The vehicle trim of claim 1 wherein thefirst component includes a peripheral edge and the second materialsubstantially covers the inner surface of the first component andextends to the entirety of the peripheral edge.
 5. The vehicle trim ofclaim 1 wherein the recess is configured to receive the illuminableelectronic element and when illuminated the electronic element isvisible through the outer surface of the first component.
 6. The vehicletrim of claim 1 further comprising a frame protruding from a rearportion of the second component and adjacent to the recess.
 7. Thevehicle trim of claim 6 wherein the recess is defined by a border of thesecond component disposed inside and spaced apart from the frame.
 8. Thevehicle trim of claim 6 wherein the recess is defined by an edge of thesecond component directly adjacent the frame.
 9. The vehicle trim ofclaim 1 wherein the recess is spaced inward from an edge of the vehicletrim and is surrounded by the second component.
 10. The vehicle trim ofclaim 1 wherein the recess extends to an edge of the vehicle trim. 11.The vehicle trim of claim 1 wherein the second component further definesa second recess free from the second material for receiving a secondelectronic element.
 12. The vehicle trim of claim 11 wherein the firstand second recesses are spaced apart from one another.
 13. The vehicletrim of claim 11 wherein the first recess is positioned longitudinallybelow the second recess.
 14. The vehicle trim of claim 11 wherein thefirst recess receives an input element and the second recess receives adisplay element.
 15. A vehicle trim for supporting an illuminableelectronic element, the vehicle trim comprising: a first componentformed of an at least semitransparent first material, the firstcomponent having an outer surface defining a portion of an exterior ofthe vehicle trim; and a second component formed of a second materialless transparent than the first material, the second component disposedon the first component and defining an inner surface of the vehicletrim, the second component defining a recess that is free from thesecond material and having a frame protruding from a rear portion of thesecond component proximal to the recess.
 16. The vehicle trim of claim15 wherein the second component is formed directly on the firstcomponent and the second material substantially covers the rear portionof the first component.
 17. The vehicle trim of claim 15 wherein theframe includes edges that define the recess.
 18. The vehicle trim ofclaim 15 wherein the frame extends entirely circumferentially around therecess.
 19. The vehicle trim of claim 15 wherein the frame has aU-shaped configuration surrounding a substantial portion of the recess.20. The vehicle trim of claim 15 wherein the frame extends substantiallyperpendicular to the rear portion of the second component.
 21. Thevehicle trim of claim 15 further comprising a housing connected to thesecond component for attaching the illuminable electronic element to thesecond component.
 22. The vehicle trim of claim 21 wherein the housingcovers the recess and locates the illuminable electronic element in therecess.
 23. The vehicle trim of claim 21 wherein housing locates theilluminable electronic element directly adjacent to a rear surface ofthe first component in the recess of the second component.
 24. Thevehicle trim of claim 21 wherein the housing completely conceals therecess when viewed from the rear surface of the vehicle trim.
 25. Thevehicle trim of claim 21 wherein the housing further comprises acircumferentially-extending edge arranged to enclose the frame.
 26. Thevehicle trim of claim 25 further comprising a circumferential sealdisposed between the circumferentially-extending edge and the frame. 27.The vehicle trim of claim 21 wherein the housing includes acircumferential groove and the frame is disposed within thecircumferential groove.
 28. The vehicle trim of claim 15 furthercomprising a hook spaced apart from an edge of the second component thatdefines recess, the hook molded to the second plastic component layerand protruding from the second plastic component layer to attach to theilluminable electronic device;
 29. A vehicle trim comprising: a firstcomponent formed of an at least semitransparent first material, thefirst component having an outer surface defining a portion of anexterior of the vehicle trim; and a second component formed of a secondmaterial less transparent than the first material, the second componentformed directly on the first component and the second materialsubstantially covering an inner surface of the first component andextending to substantially an entirety of a periphery of the firstcomponent, and the second component defining a recess that is free fromthe second material, wherein the recess is configured to receive anilluminable electronic element.
 30. The vehicle trim of claim 29 whereinthe second material completely covers the inner surface of the firstcomponent.
 31. The vehicle trim of claim 29 wherein the illuminableelectronic element is visible through the first component when in anilluminated condition.
 32. The vehicle trim of claim 29 wherein theilluminable electronic element completely fills the recess.
 33. Thevehicle trim of claim 29 wherein the illuminable electronic element isin contact with the first component when disposed in the recess.
 34. Thevehicle trim of claim 29 wherein the illumination of the illuminableelectronic element is activated by a sensor.
 35. The vehicle trim ofclaim 29 wherein the electronic element is visible through the firstcomponent only upon illumination of the illuminable electronic element.36. The vehicle trim of claim 29 wherein the illuminable electronicelement includes an input element which is actuated through the firstcomponent.
 37. The vehicle trim of claim 29 wherein the illuminableelectronic element is a display element for displaying informationoptically through the first component.
 38. The vehicle trim of claim 29further comprising a frame extending from a rear portion of the secondcomponent and a housing disposed overtop the frame, the housingconfigured to support the illuminable electronic element within therecess.